O'Neill lays blame with ref

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has blamed referee Rob Styles for his side's Premier League draw with West Ham. Villa's winless run in the top flight continued as Diego Tristan's 85th minute goal cancelled out Emile Heskey's opener in an absorbing encounter in the Midlands.Despite the late nature of the Hammers' leveller, O'Neill believes his team should still have been offered a last-gasp penalty opportunity to snatch a dramatic first win in eight league games.West Ham defender James Tomkins appeared to handle the ball inside his own 18-yard area when challenging John Carew in injury-time, but referee Styles waved away claims.And O'Neill was left in no doubt that his men were denied the opportunity to record a much-needed win, telling Sky Sports: "Obviously it is a clear penalty, but that is the way it has been going for us.Delight"We are a delight to watch. As great a game as it was today, I felt it was one we let slip."We didn't get the elusive second goal and that eventually is going to cost you, and it did do, despite the fact that the referee should have given a penalty at the end."And O'Neill confesses that his side are struggling in their battle to overhaul fourth-placed Arsenal in the race for a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League."It is a blow because we are running out of games," he added. "If it had been eight or nine weeks ago, you would have taken it as a setback and got on with it."But with games running out it is a pretty bad blow."

Source: SKY_Sports